Proposals and Contract Manager

Parexel; Cheyenne (WY); Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Vacation/Holiday/Sick Time

Flexible Spending & Health Savings

Work/Life Balance

401(k) with Company match

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Parexel, a global clinical development partner, is seeking a Proposal and Contract Manager with Early Phase experience for a remote US role. You will lead RFPs, coordinate SMEs, develop budgets, and support contract negotiations to establish commercial foundations for Early Phase programs.

You will collaborate with Operations, Legal, Finance, and Business Development, delivering accurate client materials while contributing to process improvements and global study operations insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Life Science, Business, Languages, or related field.
• 4–6 years in project support, finance, contracting or proposals in a CRO or life sciences.
• Experience with proposals and contracts in life sciences; finance background helpful.
• Knowledge of contracting terms, pricing structures and data systems like Salesforce.
• Understanding operational aspects of clinical study conduct across regions.
• Familiarity with client contract processes, account management, and revenue recognition.
• Proficiency with Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and databases.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; ability to negotiate with clients.
• Ability to work from home and handle irregular hours for deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end RFP process from receipt to delivery.
• Coordinate SMEs and cross-functional inputs for proposals and budgets.
• Prepare, revise proposals and budgets in response to RFPs.
• Identify barriers and risks to meet client deadlines and mitigate them.
• Obtain third-party quotations and ensure alignment with client specs.
• Manage contract activities across stakeholders and accounts.
• Develop contracting standards, strategies, delivery plans, and terms.
• Create, negotiate, and finalize contracts per SOPs.
• Amend budgets with complete input and clear rationale.
• Lead internal and client meetings to negotiate costs and terms.
• Prepare contract documents from Parexel templates.
• Maintain complete documentation and map client bid grids.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Science, Business, Languages, or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Home Based, US

About Parexel

Parexel is a leading global clinical development partner delivering insights-driven clinical and consulting solutions to the life sciences industry. With 22,000+ employees worldwide, we partner with biopharmaceutical companies and research sites to design and deliver patient-focused clinical trials that broaden access and make research a care option for anyone, anywhere.

We work with focus, agility, and shared purpose - moving with urgency to address patient needs and accelerate the delivery of new therapies. We embrace bold thinking, adapt quickly to change, and continually raise the bar for the speed and quality of clinical research. We are expanding our team and seeking talented individuals to help drive industry-leading innovation, With Heart®.

About the Role

We are seeking a Proposal and Contract Manager specifically with Early Phase Clinical experience to join our team in a remote capacity in the United States. In this role, you will lead proposal and contract activities that help Parexel respond to client opportunities and establish the commercial foundations for Early Phase clinical research programs. You will manage requests for proposals from receipt through delivery, coordinate subject matter experts and cross-functional partners, develop and revise proposals and budgets, and support contract preparation, negotiation, and signature.

You will work across Operations, Project Management, Legal, Business Development, Finance, and other specialist teams to deliver accurate, compelling, and commercially sound client materials. This role offers broad exposure to global clinical study operations, pricing strategy, contract management, client engagement, and process improvement, with opportunities to serve as a resource and mentor to colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end Request for Proposal process, from receipt and analysis of RFP documentation through final delivery.

• Analyze study protocols or synopses, assign and engage the appropriate subject matter experts, and coordinate strategic, operational, proposal, and budget inputs.

• Prepare and revise proposals and budgets in response to RFPs and client revisions, incorporating subject matter expert feedback and following the Decisions Right policy.

• Identify barriers and risks that could affect RFP completion and implement effective mitigation strategies to meet client deadlines.

• Obtain third-party quotations as needed and ensure proposals and budgets align with the RFP, client specifications, communications, and internal assumptions.

• Manage contract activities for assigned accounts by coordinating Operations, Project Management, Legal, Business Development, Finance, and other stakeholders.

• Develop account-specific contracting standards, contract strategies, delivery plans, budgets, payment terms, and contract language, and discuss or negotiate these with clients as appropriate.

• Create, negotiate, and finalize contracts in accordance with departmental standard operating procedures, guidance, and work instructions.

• Amend project and client budgets using internal tools and reports, ensuring complete input from project and functional teams and clear rationale for cost changes.

• Lead relevant internal and client meetings, negotiate costs and terms with minimal support, and work toward targeted client signature dates.

• Prepare contract documents from Parexel templates and manage contractual matters requiring Finance, Tax, Legal, or other stakeholder input.

• Maintain complete, accurate documentation and current system data for metrics and key performance indicators; independently map client bid grids and support process and tool improvement initiatives.

Candidate Profile

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple varied tasks and strict deadlines.

• Excellent attention to detail and consistently high-quality work, including under pressure or when client timelines require irregular or extended hours.

• Clear written and verbal communication, highly developed interpersonal skills, and confidence working with colleagues and clients at all levels.

• The ability to lead internal and client meetings proactively, negotiate client discussions with minimal support, and elevate difficult issues appropriately.

• A collaborative, team-oriented approach and the ability to work independently in a global matrix environment.

• A sense of urgency, a positive attitude, and a willingness to support colleagues, mentor less experienced team members, and contribute to improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Science, Business, Languages, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 4-6 years of experience in project support, finance, contracting, or proposals within a contract research organization or similar life sciences environment.

• Strong experience in proposals and/or contracts in a contract research organization or other life sciences environment. Finance experience may be suitable when paired with proposal or contracting experience.

• Broad experience with proposal and contract management principles, contractual terms, pricing structures, pricing tools, and data systems such as Salesforce.

• Strong understanding of the operational aspects of clinical study conduct across different regions of the world.

• Knowledge of client contract processes, account management, reporting, cash flow, and revenue recognition.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, and databases.

• Fluency in written and spoken English, including the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with clients.

• Ability to work from home and to work irregular or extended hours when needed to meet client proposal deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA

• Early Phase clinical research experience.

• Previous proposal development experience.

• Experience working in multinational and multicultural companies.

Benefits and Compensation

• Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Vacation/Holiday/Sick Time

• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts

• Work/Life Balance

• 401(k) with Company match

• Pet Insurance

For a complete list of benefits, please visit www.parexel.com/us-benefits.

We believe in flexibility, growth, and creating space for people to do their best work. Join us and be part of a team where your contributions help shape the future of clinical research.

EEO Disclaimer

Parexel is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, which in the US includes race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.